Counseling Patients To Quit

Practical counseling advice (problem-solving/skills training)

Recognize danger situations.
Identify events, internal states, or activities that increase the risk of smoking or relapse.

Examples

• Negative affect.
• Being around other smokers.
• Drinking alcohol.
• Experiencing urges.
• Being under time pressure.

Develop coping skills.
Identify and practice coping or problem-solving skills. Typically, these skills are intended to cope with danger situations.

Examples

• Learning to anticipate and avoid temptation.
• Learning cognitive strategies that will reduce negative moods.
• Accomplishing lifestyle changes that reduce stress, improve quality of life, or produce pleasure.
• Learning cognitive and behavioral activities to cope with smoking urges (e.g., distracting attention).

Provide basic information.
Provide basic information about smoking and successful quitting.

Examples

• Any smoking (even a single puff) increases the likelihood of full relapse.
• Withdrawal typically peaks within 1-3 weeks after quitting.
• Withdrawal symptoms include negative mood, urges to smoke, and difficulty concentrating.
• Smoking is addictive.

Supportive counseling advice

Encourage the patient in the quit attempt.

Examples

• Communicate belief in the patient's ability to quit.
• Note that effective tobacco dependence treatments are now available.
• Note that half of all people who have ever smoked have now quit.

Communicate caring and concern.

Examples

• Ask how the patient feels about quitting.
• Directly express concern and willingness to help.
• Be open to the patient's expression of fears of quitting, difficulties experienced, and ambivalent feelings.

Encourage the patient to talk about the quitting process.

Examples

Ask about:

• Reasons the patient wants to quit.
• Concerns or worries about quitting.
• Success the patient has achieved.
• Difficulties encountered while quitting.